Acarine bee mite. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The acarine or tracheal mite, Acarapis woodi, is a serious and growing problem for beekeepers. T

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Acarine bee mite. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The acarine or tracheal mite, Acarapis woodi, is a serious and growing problem for beekeepers. The microscopic internal mite clogs the breathing tubes of adult bees, blocking oxygen flow and eventually killing them. Acarine disease affects the flight efficiency and causes a large number of crawling bees outside the hive that are unable to fly. The inability to fly can contribute to losses of field bees and reduction of food stores in the colony. Another symptom is the abnormal \disjointed\" position of the wings of walking bees. High levels of colony infestations can cause significant economic damage as indicated by decreased honey and brood production, increased winter mortality and reduced spring build up of colonies. Magnification: x60 when printed 10 centimetres wide."

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Size: 4572px × 4448px
Photo credit: © STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: acarapis, acarine, animal, bee, biological, biology, body, colony, coloured, deadly, electron, false-colour, false-coloured, fatal, fauna, honey, invertebrates, leg, legs, micrograph, microscope, mite, nature, parasite, parasitic, parasitising, scanning, sem, surface, tracheal, wildlife, woodi., zoological, zoology